100th Tasmanian Man saved by
Brachytherapy Prostate Cancer Treatment
Media Release - 11 November 2009
More than 100 Tasmanian men have now been treated for prostate cancer with
brachytherapy. The treatment is a minimally invasive procedure in which
radioactive ‘seeds’ are implanted into the prostate. Low Dose Rate (LDR)
Prostatic brachytherapy as it is also known, is only available in Tasmania in the
private sector through Calvary Hospital, has a highly favourable side-effects
profile when compared to other prostate cancer treatments.
Urologist Dr. Anthony Eaton, together with urologist Ian Middleton and radiation
oncologist John Ward have been performing the procedure in Tasmania since
October 2004. “We are very pleased to have been able to help so many
Tasmanian men,” Dr. Eaton said. “Brachytherapy is a very effective treatment for
men diagnosed with prostate cancer. It has the similar cure rates to prostate
surgery but with minimal side effects, however it is not suitable for everyone.”
Brachytherapy has a number of favourable quality of life outcomes, less patients
suffer from impotence and incontinence than would with surgery. The average
operation time for the minimally invasive procedure is 95 minutes, resulting in
only overnight hospital stays.
Peter Hawkins was the first brachytherapy patient at Calvary Hospital five years
ago and would recommend the procedure to any man faced with the spectre of
prostate cancer. “No problem at all,” Peter said. “Once I got over the initial shock
of being diagnosed with prostate cancer it really was smooth sailing. My daughter
is a healthcare professional and she was the one that told me about
brachytherapy, I’d never heard of it. I’ve had no troubles at all since the
procedure. I would recommend all men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer
to ask their doctors about it.”
Dr. Eaton said that educating men about their treatment options is an important
step in the battle against prostate cancer. “Letting men know there are a number
of treatments available to them is vital,” he said. “Brachytherapy is an effective
and safe procedure and we hope to help a lot more Tasmanian men in the
coming years.”
Brachytherapy in its modern form has been practised internationally for 20 years
and has been available in Australia for 15 years.
For more information or interviews please contact Travers Purton at MWC Media:
Ph: (03) 9912 6839 Mob: 0431 433 130 Email: travers@mwcmedia.com.au
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